Pakistan to Participate in 8th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan

Pakistan will participate in the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow on Monday, October 5, as regional countries discuss developments in Afghanistan and their implications for regional security and stability.

Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq is leading Pakistan’s delegation, which also includes Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and senior Foreign Ministry officials.

The meeting brings together Afghanistan and key regional countries to discuss the country’s political, security and economic situation. Representatives from Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan and Central Asian states are expected to participate, while other countries have also been invited.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is attending the meeting, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to address the participants. The Afghan delegation is also expected to hold separate discussions with Russian officials on the sidelines.

The consultations are expected to cover Afghanistan’s security situation, political and economic engagement with regional countries, counterterrorism and efforts to combat narcotics trafficking. A joint statement is also expected following the meeting.

For Pakistan, the discussions come amid heightened tensions with Afghanistan and continued concerns over cross-border terrorism. Islamabad has repeatedly maintained that constructive engagement with Kabul must be accompanied by concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.

At the same time, Pakistan has continued to emphasize dialogue, regional cooperation, economic engagement and connectivity as part of its approach toward Afghanistan. The Foreign Ministry has said Islamabad remains interested in friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan, provided security concerns are addressed.

The Moscow Format has previously provided a regional platform for discussing terrorism, economic cooperation and Afghanistan’s political future. In its 2024 meeting, participating countries called for stronger counterterrorism cooperation and urged Afghanistan’s authorities to take visible and verifiable steps against terrorist groups operating from its territory.

The latest meeting is therefore expected to give Pakistan an opportunity to present its position on terrorism, border security and regional stability while engaging with Afghanistan, Russia and other regional stakeholders.